The first few nights on CPAP may be difficult, while patients acclimate. Many patients at first find the mask uncomfortable, claustrophobic or embarrassing.
Instead, the cNEP system features a silicone collar that is worn around the front of the neck. The collar is attached to a vacuum pump by a flexible tube. The vacuum creates negative pressure inside the collar, which pulls the tissues of the throat to keep the airway open.
Although CPAP remains the treatment of choice for many people with obstructive sleep apnea, several alternatives are available to help reduce breathing issues and resolve daytime symptoms.
One study shows between one-third to over 50 percent of CPAP wearers either quit sleep therapy or never even fill their prescription (partially because they’re still tired after CPAP), but there are several things you can do to make your CPAP experience more comfortable, including:
Your daily habits and environment can significantly impact the quality of your sleep. Take the Sleep Quiz to help inform your sleep improvement journey.
Built-in humidifier with preheat setting may help with CPAP side effects like dry mouth and nasal irritation
Getting an official diagnosis is the first step to getting help for sleep apnea. CPAP therapy is an effective treatment option, but it may not be right for everyone.
Side effects of CPAP treatment may include congestion, runny nose, dry mouth, or nosebleeds; humidification can often help with these symptoms. Masks may cause irritation or redness of the skin, and use of the right size mask and padding can minimize pressure sores from tight contact with skin.
A number of surgeries can reduce apnea events, though the evidence for their efficacy is limited to small studies.
For patients using CPAP in the outpatient setting at home, it is important to wear it regularly while asleep overnight and during daytime naps.
Some issues—including mask leaks, incorrect air pressure, and mask discomfort—can have relatively simple solutions. Open communication with your physician could be the difference between feeling better sooner rather than later.
It might be encouraging to know, though, that it’s common for people with sleep apnea to feel the same (or even worse) right after starting CPAP therapy.
After the procedure, it takes about 30 days to heal. You will then return to your read more physician, who activates the device. Once activated, you can use a handheld remote control device to turn Inspire on before you go to sleep each night.
Unfortunately, there isn’t an exact answer as to what can be done to relieve you of the symptoms that you are experiencing. There are however, some trial and error options. For starters, you can speak with your doctor about the symptoms that you are having.